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Leif & Tsuyoshi Go To Kyoto: Shrines, Temples, Diarrhea & Ramen

November 5, 2014 by The Runaway Guide 6 Comments

November 4th, 2014. I’m not quite sure where I am anymore. Across the street a lady in a kimono bows low to a departing customer. Behind me there’s a McDonalds where a girl is handing out flyers. We make our way across the bridge. Salary man, samurai, salary man, samurai. I look down the river, it’s banks are dominated by huge bank buildings. I look the opposite way and find hundred year old homes. I can’t keep the grin off my face.

If you only visit one city in Japan, Kyoto is the place. This ancient capitol epitomizes Japan, and the wonderful juxtaposition of the ancient with the modern. It’s home to Japan’s oldest and most refined restaurants, and macha green teas. It’s also peppered with ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. If you’re looking for a glimpse and a taste of ancient Japan, immerse yourself into Kyoto.

japanese pop star smoking in apartment

My cousin Tsuyoshi having a smoke in his apartment in Kobe before our trip to Kyoto.

japanese guy in osaka subway

Making our way through Osaka station, looking for the train to Kyoto. Is Tsuyoshi in a boy band or Yakuza(Japanese mafia)?

Osaka train station

Osaka central station.

japanese students at kiyomizu-deraOne hour and 800¥ later, we arrived in Kyoto.

kiyomizu-dera

First stop, Kiyomizu-dera.  A Buddhist temple and a collection of buildings from ancient Kyoto. This world heritage site truly makes you feel as if you’ve traveled back to ancient Japan.

the view from the top of kiyomizu-dera

Looking up towards the mountains at a lone temple. Fall is on it’s way.

japanese-girl-kimono-kiyomizu-dera

Many Japanese and Gaijin (foreigners) wear a traditional Kimono when visiting Kiyomizu-dera.

japanese couple taking a selfie at Kyoto Jishu Shrine

At the entrance of Kyoto Jishu Shrine or the “cupid love shrine,” a place were you can deepen your current relationship or pray for a new one.

praying-japanese-lady

soba-noodles-amazaki

Soba noodles, Amazaki (sweet fermented rice drink), hot mugi (wheat) tea and a brisk fall day. For me, this is heaven.

Japanese-navigation-car

Tsuyoshi rented a car like he was buying a drink at a vending machine. He put his card up to the window and the door popped open. 8$/hour. Next stop Fushimi Inari Taisha or the shrine of 1000 gates.

Fushimi-Inari-shrine

Working on my Japanese pose at the entrance to Fushimi Inari Shrine.

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That’s how it’s done!

Fushimi Inari Taisha

There has got to be more than 1000 gates here!

Fushimi-Inari-Taisha

This shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice. The gates or Tori mark the transition from the profane to the sacred or from earthly to heavenly.

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The fox is known for being the messenger of Inari aka the rice spirit.

sunset-kyoto

After watching the sun set over Kyoto’s Kamogawa river, it was time for some food.

streets-of-goon-district

We made our way down a street in Gion district, a place known for it’s traditional restaurants and Geisha houses.

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After salivating at every restaurant window, we finally decided on a joint specializing in Kyo-yasai or Kyoto vegetables.

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A kind of eggplant with a miso based sauce.

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The best Tempura I’ve ever had. Crisped to perfection, remarkable flavor.

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On the way back, Tsuyoshi somehow started getting Diarrhea pangs. Vegetables don’t do that to people.

japanese-toilet-high-tech

Thank god for Japanese public toilettes. Unlike SE Asia, they actually want you to throw the used paper in the toilette. Bit of reverse culture shock for me and I still felt guilty flushing it down.

ramen

Our 5,000¥ /50$ traditional vegetable meal was delicious but just not filling enough. So…we went for 700¥/7$ ramen and boy was it palate altering. No more New York City diner Ramen for me. Nah-ah, not once more, not never. Too spoiled now.

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I can’t even express how much I love this country. Everything, from the cuisine to the nature to the insanely polite people makes me giggle with a kind of childhood joy. I just wish it wasn’t so dang expensive. Fortunately, I’ve got an amazing family, Tsuyoshi, Miki, Akina and Yoko Aikawa up in Yamanashi-ken, who always take care of me. I hope that one day I can take care of them too.

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Filed Under: Runaway's Blog

Let Me Know What You Think!

  1. olllyboo says

    November 13, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    wow great pictures! i wish i could run away to japan!! ⎝>o<⎠

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      November 16, 2014 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks! Go for it! :) I’ll help you find a flight.

      Reply
  2. Trish says

    November 5, 2014 at 11:03 am

    Grandma and I really enjoyed looking at all your pictures and so happy to see Toshi!
    Love you two
    Trish & Grandma

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      November 11, 2014 at 8:43 am

      Nice! I’ve got another photo essay on Tokyo coming up! Love and miss y’all too. You woulda loved the food I got into over there. Thinking about basing myself in Japan for the spring.

      Reply
  3. De'Jav says

    November 5, 2014 at 7:42 am

    Seems like there is a lot to offer. Nice with the toilets at an unexpected time and car rental that’s pretty sweet.

    Reply
    • The Runaway Guide says

      November 11, 2014 at 8:24 am

      Kyoto is really a cool place. Wish I had had more time there to explore more.

      Reply

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